Update on Market Place works

15 December 2017

Unfortunately, it has not been possible to re-open the Broad Street side of Market Place in time for Christmas. It was an ambitious target but both the ground works and inclement weather have made this impossible.

It has been agreed with Balfour Beatty that they will bring their two week Christmas shutdown forward to Friday 15 December (rather than Friday 22 December). They will return to work on 2 January. Overall this planned two-week break does not impact on completing the project in the spring.

The site has made safe and retracted as far as safety allows, to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from the Market Place being as open as possible. This includes:

Removing the temporary traffic lights on Rose Street

Opening the western side footway in front of HSBC down to Specsavers, subject to the current inclement weather, where the temporary tarmac will be complete

Making the central compound as small as possible to make it as easy as we can to get around

Whilst we recognise this on-going closure of the Broad Street side will be a disappointment, we hope that, by opening up the area as much as possible, shoppers and businesses will benefit from the increased access around the town centre.

Work will start again apace in the New Year with the projected road opening through to Broad Street being later in January. Denmark Street will be re-closed once the access to Broad Street is opened.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued understanding and support.